Fife is believed to have originated from the Eastern traverse flute which was introduced to medieval Europe and improved to the present style. In Europe and America, it is widely used in the folk music and drum and fife bands. Its earthy sound also attracts many people in Japan, where fife is popularly used as a melody instrument in drum and fife bands and as a starter instrument for those planning to take up flute or piccolo. With its innovative embouchure hole design, Yamaha fife is easy to play with accurate intonation, which makes it possible for anybody who follows proper basics to produce beautiful sound.

The ABS resin used in some recorder bodies may contain lead, phthalate esters, and other toxic materials. The ABS resin used in Yamaha is manufactured from non-toxic materials that clear international safety standards.

Yamaha recorder components are assembled without the use of adhesives wherever possible. The Yamaha YRS-2X and YRA-2X soprano and alto recorders are entirely assembled using press-fit components, while other models use ultrasonic welding for some components. * A safe adhesive that uses recycled materials and does not contain phthalate esters is used for some components that cannot be joined by ultrasonic welding in tenor and bass recorders.

The Yamaha quality management system conforms to the international ISO9001 standard and is certified by DNV (Det Norske Veritas), an international accredited certification body headquartered in Norway. The same quality management system applies to all Yamaha production facilities throughout the world, ensuring that every product shipped conforms to the highest quality standards.

The fife cases are made from environmentally friendly natural cotton.